2013
TAIPEI 101
Exhibition · Taipei
ABOUT / Shibuki Takakura
Japanese spirit.
A shared world.
Shibuki Takakura / Kazuhiko Takakura / 大下倉和彦
PROFILE / TANGO, KYOTO — JAPAN
Shibuki Takakura is an artist based in Tango, Kyoto. Raised in a family whose business was weaving and dyeing Tango chirimen silk, he worked in textile dyeing before an accidental splash of dye inspired him to develop his distinctive method, SHIBUKI ART.
Using his fingertips and his entire body, he sends colour through space. His works layer lines born from conscious intention with movements that can never be completely controlled. The physical awareness cultivated through many years of kendo is also a vital foundation of his expression.
Working primarily in painting, he also creates across materials and forms, including folding screens, Tango chirimen stoles and garments. His practice extends to stage costumes, live performances in spatial settings and collaborations with musicians.
Through the fleeting expression of SHIBUKI, he continues to explore an art that connects people, cultures and the future.
SELECTED MILESTONES
A practice across borders.
2015
Affordable Art Fair
Art fair · Singapore
2021
nosce te ipsum
Art-book launch exhibition · Kyoto
2022
IAC / SAKURA COLLECTION
Performances · Paris & New York
CAREER / 1971–2024
Exhibitions, performances
& collaborations.
2020–2024View chronology
2024.10
Presented an invited SHIBUKI performance at an art event in Los Angeles, USA.
2023.04
Presented an exhibition at GALLERY N, Motomachi, Yokohama.
2023.03
Performed SHIBUKI at COFFEE TRIP, Matsuzakaya Ueno, Tokyo.
2022.10
Presented a stage performance at SAKURA COLLECTION, New York, USA.
2022.09
Performed SHIBUKI at IAC 2022, the International Astronautical Congress, Paris, France.
2022.05
Presented a stage performance with hair salon apish at Asia Beauty Expo 2022, PACIFICO Yokohama.
2022.04
Carried out the Shibuki Project for the Future at Shimada Suisan, Miyajima, Hiroshima.
2022.03
Upcycled Taichi Yamazaki’s flight suit with Shibuki. The making process was featured on NHK WORLD.
2021.06
Presented an exhibition at GOOD NATURE HOTEL, Kyoto, to mark publication of the art book “nosce te ipsum.”
2020.06
Performed SHIBUKI with gagaku musician 東儀雅美 at Interior Chabako’s 20th-anniversary event in Daikanyama, Tokyo.
2020.06 / 08 / 09 / 11
Carried out the Shibuki Project for the Future at farms in Kyotango, Takayama, Itoman and Tateyama.
2020.02
Presented an exhibition at Marukin Furniture, Osaka.
2010–2019View chronology
2019.10
Participated in JAPAN SENSES at Ginza Mitsukoshi, Tokyo.
2019.10
Performed independently at seven street locations in New York City.
2019.06
Dedicated a painting at the Seiryoden festival of Izumo Taisha.
2019.03
Presented “KABUKI wo SHIBUKU” at Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Osaka.
2018.07
Presented a solo exhibition at Shikandai Art Hills, Yatsugatake.
2018.04
Held TANGO ART CARNIVAL in Kyotango and Ayabe, Kyoto.
2017.03 / 07 / 11
Presented solo exhibitions at Shikandai Art Hills, Yatsugatake, in March, July and November.
2016.10
Participated in UNKNOWN ASIA Art Exchange Osaka.
2016.07
Participated in the summer JAPAN SENSES programme at Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo.
2015.10
Participated as a featured artist in JAPAN SENSES at Isetan Shinjuku, Tokyo.
2015.05
Exhibited at Affordable Art Fair, Singapore.
2014.05 / 11
Presented solo exhibitions “KAKUSHIN” and “I just want to express beauty” at Galerie Wa2, Tokyo, in May and November.
2013.06
Presented “From the Materials to Colours” at TAIPEI 101, Taipei, Taiwan.
2013.05
Presented “From the Materials to Colours” at Galerie Wa2, Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo.
2012.11
Collaborated with Asian designers and models at SAKURA COLLECTION, Kansai International Airport.
2012.02 / 05
Presented “From the Materials to Colours” at Gallery KURA, SHIPS Kyoto, in February and May.
2011.03
Presented “From the Materials to Colours” at Pinocika, Higashi-Azabu, Tokyo.
2010.10
Created collaboration T-shirts for “House of LOWERCASE,” celebrating Fujii Daimaru’s 140th anniversary: LOWERCASE × Nike NSW × Takakurazome.
2010.05
Held “GAIN A FOOTHOLD!!” at Fujii Daimaru, Kyoto.
1971–2009View chronology
2009.10
Presented “染×SOME” at HAKUYA gallery and café, Kyoto.
2008.08
Exhibited at the New York International Gift Fair, USA.
2006.06
Created a tapestry for “CR Tantei Monogatari” (Yusaku Matsuda × Takakurazome).
2004.10
Presented “Talking Material” at RAGTAG, Shibuya, and rt, Ginza, Tokyo.
2004
Founded Takakurazome and began creating artworks rooted in his knowledge of dyeing and weaving.
1996–2004
At YK Senshoku, developed textile proposals for Japanese and international designer brands, including ISSEY MIYAKE and COMME des GARÇONS.
1994–1996
Studied the foundations of dyeing and weaving at Nikko Senshoku.
1994
Graduated in Social Welfare from Bukkyo University.
1971
Born in Kyotango, Kyoto, Japan.
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